Chapter 24: Fall
Phyrra was both nervous and curious at the same time and how could she not be, sure she was curious about why did professor Ozpin wanted to meet with her. But the last thing she expected once she reached the heasmaster office was to see Batman of all people here.
Phyrra like everybody else has heard of Batman and the deeds he does in not only in Atlas but in all of Remnant as well. To Phyrra Batman was kind of like the hero's she use to read in the books when she was little a hero that no matter what methods was willing do anything for the greater good. Phyrra in a way admires Batman for that.
But as Ozpin welcomed Phyrra and sat her down and began talking to her the red haired girl was wondering why Batman was here and what did Ozpin truly want with her.
"Well it comes as no surprise they've chosen you to move onto the final round of the tournament your performance has been explemarly" Ozpin said to Phyrra said.
"Thank you professor Ozpin..but I would have never made it this far without my teammates" Phyrra said.
"Personally I think its the other way around" Qrow said causing Phyrra to turn to him.
"I'm sorry but I don't believe we've been introduced" Phyrra said as she looked at Qrow.
"Name's Qrow' Qrow said to Phyrra.
"Qrow is a trusted colluage of mine and if your wondering about Batman just recently he became a ally of ours" Ozpin said as Batman was standing with his arm crossed behind Ozpin by the window.
"I see Professor, if you don't mind me asking why have you called me here?" Phyrra said as she turned back to look at Ozpin.
"Please take a seat" Ozpin said to Phyrra.
Phyrra then sat back down on her seat.
"Tell me what is your favorite fairy tail?' Ozpin asked Phyrra.
"I'm sorry?" Phyrra said as she had a confuse look on her face not really understanding Ozpin question.
"Fairy Tales stories from your child hood surely you must remember some of them" Ozpin said.
"Well, there's the Tale of the Two Brothers, the Shallow Sea, the girl in the tower" Phyrra said as Ozpin cut her off.
"What about the story of the seasons?" Ozpin asked the former mistrial tournament champion.
"Oh, of course" Phyrra said.
"A callous old man who refuses to leave his home is visited by four traveling sisters" Phyrra said.
"The first understand his reclusive nature and urgres him to use his time in solitude to reflect and mediate, the second brings him fruit and flowers tending to his crops and revitalizing his third warms the man heart convincing him to step outside and embrace the world around him, and the fourth and final sister begs him to look at all that he has and be thankful" Phyrra explained the story about the maidens.
"In return for their kindness, the man grants the maiden incredible powers so that they can continue to help others all over the worid, they graceiously accept and promised to share their gifts with the people of Remnant until the end of days winter spring summer and fall my mother loves that story" Phyrra said.
While Batman himself didn't care much for the stories he does remember his mother and Alfred reading to them when he was just a boy. He also remembers that the tale of the two brothers was his favorite one to hear but he didn't expect that those fairy tales were true and Ozpin was thousands of years old.
"Would you believe me if I told you that one been around since I was a boy" Ozpin said.
You're not that old professor" Phyrra said as she chuckled a bit.
"Well, would you believe me if I told you if you lt was true" Ozpin said.
"I beg your pardon?" Phyrra said.
"What if I were to tell you that there were four maidens existing in this world that could wield such tremendous power without dust" Ozpin said.
"You mean like a semblance?" Phyrra said.
"Like magic" Ozpin said.
'I" Phyrra started to say but Qrow interrupted her.
"Yeah the first time hearing it is pretty crazy" Qrow said.
Phyrra then turned to look at Batman "everything that Ozpin is saying is true Phyrra I just learned that the stories of the maidens are in fact true, I'm sure your well aware that your headmaster isn't the type of person to lie about something like this" Batman simply said.
He will have to do some digging soon and find out to see who was the Winter maiden because no doubt she is under ironwood protection, a part of him hopes that Winter isn't the winter maiden or is chosen to become the next maiden. While Batman knows his eldest daughter can take care of herself he doesn't her to become a target for Salem and her group.
"You're actually serious" Phyrra said shocked when Batman told her that the stories were true.
"Does it look like I'm joking" Ozpin said.
"No" Phyrra said she hesitated and gathered herself before asking Ozpin this simple question.
"Why-Why are you telling me this?" she asked.
Ozpin looked at Qrow who mdded his head and at Batman who gave a silent nod of his own and the dark crusader was impressed with Ozpin he made the right choice in choosing Phyrra to be the next maiden she is a prodigy and Batman himself was interested in Phyrra as well. If she becomes the fall maiden she would be a excellent addition in the battle against Salem and her forces.
"We're telling you Phyrra Nikos because we believe that you are next in line to receive the fall maiden power" Ozpin said.
Phyrra was surprised but she calmed herself and said "we?"
The elevator door opened and Ironwood and Glynda was inside of it.
"Sorry we're late" Ironwood said.
"Wait what is this who are you?" Phyrra asked Ozpin.
"You know who we are we're still the same teachers and headmasters you met when you arrived at Beacon" Glynda said.
"Cept we got a a little part time job" Qrow said.
"We are the protectors of this world" Ironwood said.
"And we need your help" Ozpin said.
Phyrra just looked at Ozpin and after that Ozpin told Phyrra she wanted to take and show her something along with Batman and Phyrra and Batman agreed and it wasn't long until everybody was inside the elevator.
"Where are we going?" Phyrra asked.
"The vault under the school" Ozpin replied.
Once the elevator door opened Batman and Phyrra was greeted to the sight of a large hallway and Batman was impressed he didn't think that place like this exist under the school but he also has his secret cave under his home so he really shouldn't be too surprise. The others began walking but Found a noticed that Phyrra was slowly walking so she stopped and waited for the young girl.
"I'm sure you must have questions" Glynda said.
"Maybe one or two" Phyrra said as she and Glynda began to walk together.
"I still don't understand you said I was next in line to receive the maiden power" Phyrra said.
"What do you mean by that?" Phyrra asked.
"The maidens have existed for thousands of years but much like in nature the seasons change no two summers are alike" Glynda said.
"When a maiden dies her power leaves her body and seeks out a new host ensuring that the seasons are never lost and that no individual power could hold onto to that power forever" Glynda said.
"So how does the power choose?" Phyrra asked.
"Through a series of stupid and convoluted rules" Qrow said.
"Qrow" Glynda said as she narrowed her eyes at Qrow.
"Hey, don't get mad caused I'm right" Qrow said.
"At first, the only thing that was certain were that powers were specifetally passed onto young woman" Glynda said as she was explaining the process to Phyrra.
"But as time went on it was discovered that the selection process was much more intimate" Glynda said.
"Intimate?" Phyrra said.
"As we understand it now when a Maiden dies the one that was in her final thoughts is the first candidate to inherit her power" Glynda said.
"Unless its a dude or some old hag then the power goes to someone random and our jobs get a lot harder" Qrow said.
"Why tell me all of this now, why wait until I graduated?" Phyrra asked.
"Because soon it won't be long until our enemy makes their move" Batman said.
"Bats hit the nail on the head we've run out of time I don't know if you've noticed but things are getting a lot scarier out in the world" Qrow said.
"Tensions are high, Grimm are growing stronger and more prevalent and its not gonna be much longer before this peace we've been all enjoying so much goes out the window" Qrow said.
"You're not talking about war?" Phyrra asked.
"Not a war between nations" Ironwood replied.
"We can fill you in on the details once we know you're with us" Qrow said.
"For now all you need to know that one of the maidens was attacked and in the first time in history a part of her power was stolen" Qrow said.
"So I was right she was attacked but how on earth did her power get stolen then" Batman thought.
"The enemies could had used some sort of deviced to steal the power from the fall maiden could it be that it was that woman in the mask who stole her power" Batman thought.
He was out of his thoughts when he saw that a tan skinned girl in a tube and he widen his eyes in surprise.
"Is that?" Phyrra said causing Ozpin to sign.
"The current fall maiden Amber" Ozpin said.
"She...still alive" Phyrra said.
"For now we're using state of the art Atlas technology to keep her stable but there is a lot about this situation that is unprecedented" Ironwood said.
"What do you mean?" Phyrra asked.
Ironwood sighed "well we don't know what will happen if-when she passes" causing Batman to widen his eyes.
"Ironwood you don't think" Batman started to say.
"Wait but won't her power just transfer to the next host" Phyrra said.
"Look who been listening she is smart" Qrow said
"Under normal circumstances yes but this is a delicate situation its not uncommon for the slain last thoughts to be their attacker" Ironwood said.
"Since the power is currently split like this you think that the power will seek its other half back to the one who attacked Amber" Batman said.
"Yes and that would not bode well for any of us" Ozpin said.
Phyrra then went up to the tube Amber was in and touched it and she then looked at the adults in the room.
"If this is all true why keep it a secert, if this girl is so important, if-if we're truly on the brink of war why not tell everyone?" Phyrra asked.
Batman doesn't think telling everyone would be a great idea if they did the people would panic and that would bring in the Grimm and humanity would soon be overruned unless they had a plan to tell everybody without attracting any Grimm.
"From what we understand it used to be common knowledge" Glynda said.
"Excuse me" Phyrra said.
"How do you think legends and fairy tales get started even the craziest ones comes from somewhere" Qrow said as he pulled out his flask and started drinking from it.
"Our group was founded in order to protect mankind and the maidens, those hungry for power hunted them with the hope of inheriting their strength" Glynda said.
"And as you can imagine the ones that succeeded weren't exactly the kind of people you'd want to have unimagiable power" Qrow said.
"And so this brotherhood choose to remove the maidens from the public eye allowing their existence to fade away into legend" Ironwood said.
"The things we're telling you goes against hundreds of years of human history reglion" Glynda said.
"No one would want to believe us it'd cause an uproar" Ironwood said.
"It would cause panic and we all know that would bring clawing into our kingdoms wall's which is why we would like to" Ozpin started to say but Phyrra interrupted him.
"Ill do it" Phyrra said.
"If you believe this will help humanity then I will become your fall maiden" Phyrra said as everyone looked at each other.
"That's what you wanted isn't it" Phyrra said.
"It is but I'm afraid its not that simple" Ozpin said.
"Given Amber condition, you won't be able to inherit the power naturally however general Ironwood believes he has a solution" Ozpin said as he looked at Ironwood.
"For the past few years Atlas has been studying aura from a more scientific standpoint how it works what its made of how can it be used" Ironwood said.
"We've made significant strides and we've believe we found a way to capture it" Ironwood said.
"Capture it and cram it into something else" Qrow said.
"Or in your case..." Qrow continued saying.
"That's.." Phyrra started to say
"Classified" Ironwood said.
"Wrong" Phyrra said.
"The feeling is mutual but desperate times calls for desperate measure" Glynda said.
Batman didn't say anything but even he didn't agree with the studies on how to capture aura he had read the research and files when hacking into their files and he believes Ironwood and his scientist were taking it too far aura is a manifestation of their soul. They are pretty much playing with people lives in a way.
"I can see why James would keep that a secret if he would have wanted me to be apart of the research and my team of scientists I would have refused and would have told him to stop his research...still given the current situation this is our only option right now" Batman thought.
"And these are indeed desperate times" Ironwood said as he walked up a bit.
"We can't transfer Ambers powers to you, but we can give you what those powers are bound to" Ironwood said.
"Her aura" Phyrra said.
"Her life would become intertwine with yours the question is" Ozpin started to say.
"You don't know what the process is going to do to her" Batman said.
Phyrra had a indecisive look on her face.
"You have a important decision before you Miss Nikos" Ozpin said.
"There no guarantee this transfer will work and there's no telling if you will be the same person if it does, I advise you take time to think on this matter" Ozpin said.
"But understand that before the vytal festival is over we will need your answer" Ozpin said.
"The assailant that attacked the fall maiden has made their first move and their no telling when their next move will be" Ozpin said.
After that Ozpin allowed Phyrra to go back and get ready for the finals and everybody was heading their separate ways and right when Batman was heading out Phyrra called out to him.
"Excuse me Batman" Phyrra called out to the dark crusader.
"What is it?" Batman said.
"I was wondering...what do you think I should do?" Phyrra asked hoping that the dark knight of Atlas would give her some advice on weather she should become the fall maiden.
Batman was silent for a moment before responding
"I don't know if I can give you a straight answer because mostly this is something you have to decide for yourself, but if you really want to become the fall maiden if you really want to do good and fight and help save this world then the answer is simple. However if you say no nobody will blame you because you won't know what the process could do to you and not everybody wants to do something that is possibly too much or in over their heads" Batman said..
He then continued by saying "But it really depends on how much you want this and how much resolve you have...remember Phyrra you are studying to be a huntress ,and huntresses at the end of the day are suppose to help people" Batman simply said causing Phyrra to widen her eyes in surprise.
After that Batman left Phyrra alone giving her time to think.
Later on it was time for the finals and currently Batman was hiding inside of the stadium and each team represantive was currently inside of the stadium. Batman had told Willow that something had come up and he was back working at the hotel and he was assured his wife he would be watching the finals on tv. In reality he was watching the fight in the stadium and keeping an eye out in case the enemy made their move.
"Now for the moment you've all been waiting for the one on one finals" Port announced
The cword cheered as the finalist gathered in the arena.
"Barry, why don't you explain the rules" Port said to Oobleck.
"Uhh, its quite simple Peter instead of a bracket system each round of the finals will be randomly determined immeditealy before the match takes place" Oobleck said.
"Much like any good hunt, there will be zero time to prepare" Port said.
"Ah yes, yes now lets see who our first match will be" Oobleck said as everybody was seeing who would be fighting first.
"Yang Xiao Long and Mercury Black" Port announced as the cword cheered.
"Break a leg sis" Ruby said.
Batman narrowed his eyes he was worried about Yang especially since she is going against the son of Marcus Black, Batman didn't trust him one bit he needs to keep an eye in case he tries something funny or wrose there a chance he could be on the enemy side.
"Will all other combants please leave the stage" Port said as everybody left the stage and the field was setting up.
"You better not go easy on me" Yang said to Mercury.
"Heh you wish" Mercury said.
Both Yang and Mercury got into a stance and Whitley was especially staring at Yang.
"You can do this Yang..I hope you don't be too reckless" Whitley thought.
"Three,Two" One Fight!" Port announced.
Yang threw a punch while Mercury spun around in the air and did a kick and their attacks collided causing both of them to slid back. Mercury then ran up to Yang and tried to quick her but the blonde member of team rwby flip up into the air to dodge the attack.
She shot off two dust rounds at Mercury who spun around to dodge the attacks and him and Yang were exchanging a flew blows until both of them were blown back from each other. Mercury by Yang shot gauntlets and Yang by Mercury air dust from the weapons on his legs.
Yang fired more rounds at Mercury who ran around to avoid the attacks he prepel himself into the air and sound around until he attacked Yang with a axe kick but Yang crossed her arms and blocked the attack. Yang tried to grab Mercury leg but the assassin spun around in the air to keep that from happening.
Yang tried to kick at him but to no avail and once she tried to shoot at Mercury he quickly landed on the ground avoiding her attack. Mercury then flip kick Yang up in the air but she managed to regain her balance and propel herself right at Mercury who managed to block Yang multiple punches. Both of them tried to kick each other at the same time but Mercury over powered Yang and pushed her into the ground.
Mercury then tried to kick at Yang but Yang managed to roll out of the way but Mercury on his hand tried to kick at Yang but she managed to punch the ground trying to get Mercury off balance. But Mercury managed to hold onto to his balance and kept kicking at Yang who squatted down and block the kicks.
When both stood up Mercury tried to kick Yang again causing her to flip back and once Mercury foot was down he created a large crater in the ground. He went up to Yang and sent multiple kicks at her but the blonde did a great job at dodging his attacks. He flip kick at Yang causing her stumble a bit as he landed on the floor and did a flip dance and went and tried to kick Yang again.
But Yang blocked the attack and she upcur Mercury and punched him in the stomach sending him crashing onto the floor. Once Mercury got up he saw that Yang was firing rounds at Mercury causing him to flip back multiple times to dodge them. But one of the rounds hit him causing him fall off of the platform but he flip and shot himself back on the platform in front of Yang.
The two traded blows but Mercury was causing Yang to be on the defensive, Mercury broke Yang guard and tried to kick at her but Yang ducked out of the way. Yang tried to fire more rounds but Mercury kicked at her hands causing her to redirect at her target and miss. They traded blows again and Yang dodged a kick from Mercury but she then saw him up in the air and he wasted no time kicking Yang in the chest and sending her back a good distance.
Mercury kicked a round at Yang causing her to roll around and to dodge the attack.
"Hello" Yang said.
Mercury smirk as he rapidly fired wind like shots as he sound around while Yang was firing her best to dodge the Yang managed to get close to Mercury and attack him causing Mercury to block her traded blows until Mercury kicked her up into the air and he went up into the air and kick Yang down on the ground as the air shots went crashing down at her.
Mercury dusted himself off and started to walk away thinking the match was over until he heard a explosion and he saw that Yang hair was glowing and she had red eyes.
"Yang must be using her semblance but still...but she needs to stay calm" Whitley thought.
Yang went at Mercury punching him but Mercury blocked the attack but he was pushed back a good distance. Mercury went and kicked at Yang but she dodged them and punch Mercury multiple times she then punched him in the stomach breaking his aura and knocking him on the ground.
Soon the buzzer went off.
"What a way to kick off the finals" Port said.
"Yang Xiao Long wins" Port said.
"Yeah you did it sis" Ruby said.
"Way to go Yang" Blake said.
Whitley sighed in relief "my my Whitley were you actually worried about Yang?" Willow asked her youngest child causing Whitley to freeze up a bit.
"What..of not mother I was just afraid that he might go to far and do something stupid and reckless" Whitley said as he gathered himself a bit and tried to hide his blush.
Willow chuckled "of course son whatever you say".
Whitley groaned a bit because he knew that his mother wouldn't buy his act one bit hopefully she doesn't tease him about it for the rest of their stay here at Vale.
"Better luck next time" Yang said as she started to walk away.
"There not going to be a next time blondie" Mercury said as Yang looked and saw that Mercury was attacking her with a kick but Yang punch Mercury at his leg causing him to scream out in pain.
"My word" Oobleck said.
"Cut the cameras" Port said.
"What happen why did she attack Mercury like that" Whitley said something wasn't right about that and Batman noticed it as well and he too felt that something wasn't right.
"Ah my leg my leg" Mercury said.
"That's what you get you little" Yang said as Atlas soldiers appeared around her.
"Yang Xiao Long stand down" an Atlas soldier said.
"What why" Yang said.
"Mercury" Emetald as she ran up to him.
"Why she do that why she attacked me like that" Mercury said as Yang Whitley and Batman looked up at the screen and saw that Yang attacked Mercury while he was down much to the shock of everyone.
"No that can't be..something happened but what" Whitley said as he narrowed his eyes, he shook his head there no way Yang would attack somebody while they were down but right now he can't worry about that now he needs to talk to Yang and give her the confront she needs.
A/N: You know if Mercury and Yang were not enemies I totally could see them be great friends Oh well what can you. Anyway its been forever you guys sorry about that laziness got in the way from me writing this chapter especially with the virus situation going around. But I managed to motaivte myself and get this chapter out. Anyway not much to say so yeah thank you guys so much for reading my story it really means a lot don't forget to read review and follow the story until next time guys see ya.